Challenges to and restoration of the congress systemClass 12 Politics in India Since Independence NCERT Solutions
10 Solutions
Generated by KedovoAI
Solution 1 of 10
Q1Questions
Which of these statements about the 1967 elections is/are correct?
(a)
Congress won the Lok Sabha elections but lost the Assembly elections in many states.
(b)
Congress lost both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
(c)
Congress lost majority in the Lok Sabha but formed a coalition government with the support of some other parties.
(d)
Congress retained power at the Centre with an increased majority.
Solution
The correct statement is (a) Congress won the Lok Sabha elections but lost the Assembly elections in many states.
Reasoning: The chapter states that in the 1967 elections, "The Congress did manage to get a majority in the Lok Sabha, but with its lowest tally of seats and share of votes since 1952." It further adds, "The Congress lost majority in as many as seven States... These nine States where the Congress lost power were spread across the country."
Q2Questions
Match the following:
(a)
Syndicate
i. An elected representative leaving the party on whose ticket s/he has been elected
(b)
Defection
ii. A catchy phrase that attracts public attention
(c)
Slogan
iii. parties with different ideological position coming together to oppose Congress and its policies
(d)
Anti-Congressism
iv. A group of powerful and influential leaders within the Congress
Solution
The correct matches are:
- (a) Syndicate - iv. A group of powerful and influential leaders within the Congress
- (b) Defection - i. An elected representative leaving the party on whose ticket s/he has been elected
- (c) Slogan - ii. A catchy phrase that attracts public attention
- (d) Anti-Congressism - iii. parties with different ideological position coming together to oppose Congress and its policies
Q3Questions
Whom would you identify with the following slogans/phrases?
(a)
Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan
(b)
Indira Hatao!
(c)
Garibi Hatao!
Solution
The slogans are identified with the following:
- (a) Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan: This slogan was coined by Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second Prime Minister of India. As mentioned in the chapter, this slogan symbolised the country's resolve to face the dual challenges of the 1965 war with Pakistan and a serious food crisis.
- (b) Indira Hatao!: This was the slogan of the Opposition Alliance (Grand Alliance) during the 1971 elections. According to the chapter, Indira Gandhi pointed out that the opposition alliance had only one common programme: 'Indira Hatao' (Remove Indira).
- (c) Garibi Hatao!: This slogan was given by Indira Gandhi and her Congress (R) party for the 1971 Lok Sabha elections. It was a positive programme that aimed to remove poverty and became a cornerstone of her campaign, helping her build a strong support base among the disadvantaged sections of society.
Q4Questions
Which of the following statement about the Grand Alliance of 1971 is correct? The Grand Alliance
(a)
was formed by non-Communist, non-Congress parties.
(b)
had a clear political and ideological programme.
(c)
was formed by all non-Congress parties.
Solution
The correct statement is (a) was formed by non-Communist, non-Congress parties.
Reasoning: The chapter explicitly states that for the 1971 election, "all the major non-communist, non-Congress opposition parties formed an electoral alliance known as the Grand Alliance." This alliance included parties like the SSP, PSP, Bharatiya Jana Sangh, and Swatantra Party. Statement (b) is incorrect because the text mentions, "The Grand Alliance did not have a coherent political programme." Statement (c) is incorrect because it was not formed by all non-Congress parties; for instance, the Communist Party of India (CPI) had an alliance with Indira Gandhi's Congress (R).
Q5Questions
How should a political party resolve its internal differences? Here are some suggestions. Think of each and list out their advantages and shortcomings.
(a)
Follow the footsteps of the party president
(b)
Listen to the majority group
(c)
Secret ballot voting on every issue
(d)
Consult the senior and experienced leaders of the party
Solution
Here are the advantages and shortcomings of the suggested methods for a political party to resolve its internal differences:
(a) Follow the footsteps of the party president
- Advantages: This method can lead to quick decision-making and maintain party discipline. It presents a unified front to the public and opposition.
- Shortcomings: It is undemocratic and can lead to authoritarianism within the party. It stifles internal debate and can alienate members who disagree with the president's views, potentially leading to splits.
(b) Listen to the majority group
- Advantages: This is a democratic approach that reflects the will of the larger section of the party. It can provide legitimacy to decisions made.
- Shortcomings: It can lead to the marginalisation of minority factions and viewpoints. If the minority group feels consistently ignored, it may lead to factionalism and even a split, as seen in the case of the Congress in 1969 where two clear groups emerged.
(c) Secret ballot voting on every issue
- Advantages: This is a highly democratic method that allows members to vote freely according to their conscience without fear of reprisal. It ensures fairness and transparency.
- Shortcomings: It can be very time-consuming and impractical for every issue. It may not resolve underlying ideological conflicts and could highlight deep divisions within the party, making governance difficult.
(d) Consult the senior and experienced leaders of the party
- Advantages: This method utilizes the wisdom and experience of senior leaders who may have a better understanding of complex issues and party history. It can help in building consensus.
- Shortcomings: It can lead to the formation of a coterie or a small group (like the 'Syndicate') that controls the party. This can stifle the growth of younger leaders and prevent the party from adapting to new challenges and ideas.
Q6Questions
State which of these were reasons for the defeat of the Congress in 1967. Give reasons for your answer.
(a)
The absence of a charismatic leader in the Congress party
(b)
Split within the Congress party
(c)
Increased mobilisation of regional, ethnic and communal groups
(d)
Increasing unity among non-Congress parties
(e) Internal differences within the Congress party
Solution
The following were the key reasons for the poor performance of the Congress party in the 1967 elections:
-
(a) The absence of a charismatic leader in the Congress party: This was a significant reason. The Congress was facing the electorate for the first time without the towering personality of Jawaharlal Nehru. The new Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, had been in office for less than a year and was viewed as a 'political novice'.
-
(c) Increased mobilisation of regional, ethnic and communal groups: This was a major factor. The chapter highlights the victory of the regional party DMK in Madras State, which came to power after leading a massive anti-Hindi agitation. The period also witnessed some of the worst Hindu-Muslim riots, indicating heightened communal mobilisation.
-
(d) Increasing unity among non-Congress parties: This was a crucial reason. Opposition parties realised that the division of their votes kept the Congress in power. Under the strategy of 'non-Congressism', ideologically disparate parties formed anti-Congress fronts and entered into electoral adjustments to defeat the Congress.
-
(e) Internal differences within the Congress party: This was another important factor. The chapter mentions that the opposition felt that the "internal factionalism within the Congress provided them an opportunity to topple the Congress." The growing rivalry between Indira Gandhi and the powerful 'Syndicate' weakened the party from within.
(b) Split within the Congress party was not a direct cause of the 1967 election results, as the formal split occurred later in 1969. However, the underlying internal differences and factionalism that eventually led to the split were certainly a contributing factor to the party's weakened state in 1967.
Q7Questions
What were the factors which led to the popularity of Indira Gandhi's Government in the early 1970s?
Solution
Several factors contributed to the immense popularity of Indira Gandhi's government in the early 1970s:
-
Pro-Poor Programmes and Slogan: Indira Gandhi adopted a left-oriented policy platform. Her slogan of 'Garibi Hatao' (Remove Poverty) resonated strongly with the poor and disadvantaged sections of society. This was backed by policy initiatives like the nationalisation of fourteen private banks, the abolition of the 'privy purse' for former princes, and a focus on land reforms.
-
Building a New Support Base: Through her policies and slogans, Indira Gandhi successfully built an independent and nationwide political support base. This base included the landless labourers, Dalits, Adivasis, minorities, women, and the unemployed youth, who saw her as their champion.
-
Decisive Victory in the 1971 War: The victory in the December 1971 Indo-Pak war, which led to the creation of Bangladesh, was a major political and military achievement. This event added immensely to her popularity. She was hailed as a strong nationalist leader, and even opposition leaders admired her statesmanship.
-
Electoral Victories: The massive victory of her Congress (R) party in the 1971 Lok Sabha elections established its claim as the 'real' Congress and restored its dominant position. This was followed by sweeping victories in the State Assembly elections of 1972, which further consolidated her power and popularity across the country.
Q8Questions
What does the term 'syndicate' mean in the context of the Congress party of the sixties? What role did the Syndicate play in the Congress party?
Solution
In the context of the Congress party of the sixties, the term 'Syndicate' was the informal name given to a group of powerful and influential leaders who were in control of the party's organisation.
Meaning and Composition:
The Syndicate was led by K. Kamraj, the then president of the Congress party. It included powerful state leaders such as S. K. Patil of Bombay, S. Nijalingappa of Mysore, N. Sanjeeva Reddy of Andhra Pradesh, and Atulya Ghosh of West Bengal.
Role of the Syndicate:
The Syndicate played a crucial role in the Congress party, especially during the period of political transition after Nehru.
- Kingmaker Role: The Syndicate was instrumental in the installation of both Lal Bahadur Shastri and, later, Indira Gandhi as Prime Ministers. They ensured their election as the leader of the parliamentary party.
- Influence on Government: This group had a decisive say in Indira Gandhi's first Council of Ministers. They also wielded significant influence in policy formulation and implementation, expecting the Prime Minister to follow their advice.
- Party Control: As controllers of the party organisation, they managed internal affairs and held considerable power over party machinery at the state and central levels. Their support was considered essential for anyone aspiring to a leadership position within the party and the government.
Q9Questions
Discuss the major issue which led to the formal split of the Congress Party in 1969.
Solution
The major issue that led to the formal split of the Congress Party in 1969 was the escalating power struggle between Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the powerful group of senior leaders known as the 'Syndicate'. This rivalry came to a head during the Presidential election of 1969.
The key events that precipitated the split are as follows:
-
Presidential Nomination: Following the death of President Zakir Hussain, the Syndicate managed to nominate their choice, N. Sanjeeva Reddy (the then Speaker of the Lok Sabha and a long-time opponent of Indira Gandhi), as the official Congress candidate for the presidency, despite her reservations.
-
Indira Gandhi's Retaliation: Indira Gandhi saw this as a move by the Syndicate to undermine her authority. She retaliated by encouraging the Vice-President, V.V. Giri, to file his nomination as an independent candidate. She also took several populist measures, like the nationalisation of fourteen major banks and the abolition of the privy purse, to strengthen her position and challenge the Syndicate's conservative stance.
-
Call for a 'Conscience Vote': The then Congress President, S. Nijalingappa (a member of the Syndicate), issued a whip asking all Congress MPs and MLAs to vote for the official candidate, Sanjeeva Reddy. In a direct challenge to the party leadership, Indira Gandhi openly called for a 'conscience vote', which meant that Congress members should be free to vote for whomever they wanted.
-
Election Result and Formal Split: The election resulted in the victory of V.V. Giri, the independent candidate supported by Indira Gandhi, and the defeat of the official Congress candidate. This defeat of the Syndicate's nominee formalized the split. The Congress President expelled the Prime Minister from the party. In response, Indira Gandhi's faction claimed to be the 'real' Congress. By November 1969, the party had formally split into two groups: the Congress (Organisation), led by the Syndicate, and the Congress (Requisitionists), led by Indira Gandhi.
Q10Questions
Read the passage and answer the questions below: ...Indira Gandhi changed the Congress into highly cerntalised and undemocratic party organisation, from the earlier federal, democratic and ideological formation that Nehru had led.....But this... could not have happened had not Indira Gandhi changed the entire nature of politics. This new, populist politics turned political ideology ....... into a mere electoral discourse, use of various slogans not meant to be translated into government policies...... During its great electoral victories in early 1970s, amidst the celebration, the Congress party as a political organisation died..... - Sudipta Kaviraj
(a)
What according to the author is the difference between the strategies of Nehru and Indira Gandhi?
(b)
Why does the author say that the Congress party 'died' in the seventies?
(c)
In what way, did the change in the Congress party affect other political parties also?
Solution
(a) What according to the author is the difference between the strategies of Nehru and Indira Gandhi?
According to the author, the primary difference lay in their approach to the party organisation and the nature of politics. Nehru led a Congress that was a federal, democratic, and ideological formation, accommodating various factions and opinions. In contrast, Indira Gandhi transformed the Congress into a highly centralised and undemocratic party organisation dependent on her leadership. Furthermore, she changed the nature of politics from being ideology-based to being populist, turning political ideology into a mere electoral tool through slogans not necessarily intended for full policy implementation.
(b) Why does the author say that the Congress party 'died' in the seventies?
The author says the Congress party 'died' as a political organisation because it lost its original character. Under Indira Gandhi, it ceased to be the broad-based, federal, and democratic institution it once was. It was reinvented into a centralised structure that revolved entirely around one supreme leader. Its capacity to accommodate internal differences and factions diminished, and its ideological foundations were replaced by populist slogans designed for electoral gain. So, while the party was winning elections and was electorally alive, its organisational and democratic soul, as it existed previously, had perished.
(c) In what way, did the change in the Congress party affect other political parties also?
The passage suggests that Indira Gandhi "changed the entire nature of politics." This shift from an ideological to a populist political style would have affected other parties as well. To compete with the new Congress, opposition parties were likely compelled to adopt similar populist strategies and focus more on charismatic leaders and catchy slogans rather than on deep ideological debates or organisational strength. The centralisation of power within the ruling party may have also set a precedent, influencing the internal structures of other parties. The politics of slogans like 'Garibi Hatao' and 'Indira Hatao' indicates a shift towards a more personality-centric and confrontational political discourse for all parties involved.